A KENT children’s road safety charity has been presented with a certificate of praise personally signed by the Queen.

The KM Walking Bus Project received the honour when the certificate was presented to the charity by the Lord Lieutenant of Kent, Allan Willett.

As The Queen’s representative in Kent, Mr Willett met members of the charity’s management committee to present a trophy and certificate to recognise the project’s outstanding voluntary work in the community.

Describing the project as ‘marvellous’ the Lord Lieutenant said: “This is not some run-of-the mill award. Ours is a big county with 6 million people, and the Walking Bus Group is one of only two out of Kent’s many hundreds of hard-working community groups to win The Queen’s Award this year.

“Her Majesty rates the importance of recognising the wonderful work organisations like yours do in the community very highly indeed – and on her behalf I bring her heartfelt congratulations and thanks. What great vision you have shown in getting this wonderful service on the road.

"I congratulate Simon Dolby, its founder and chairman, and all those who have given unstintingly in helping parents and schools administer, publicise and run the scheme.

“It is remarkable that from small beginnings in Herne Bay and the Canterbury area this project has grown to 62 Walking Buses operating across the whole of Kent.”

He said: “This has been achieved with widespread support from business sponsors and statutory authorities – and I thank them for that vital support.

“I know, too, that there is an excellent working relationship between the group and KCC, Medway Council and the district councils, who are all working together to provide a co-ordinated and effective service to parents and schools in our county.

"This prestigious national award recognises the dedication and effort of public-spirited people like all of you who contribute so much to help the young people of Kent and Medway in this way.

“We want a physically fit and vigorous county – and to achieve that you need to start early, just as you are doing with the Walking Bus children.

"We want an ecologically responsible county – and your work is I am sure cutting down very many school runs by fuel-guzzling vehicles, and thereby limiting congestion and pollution.

"We want a road-safety conscious county – and walking safely to school under supervision, learning road sense as you go must help greatly.

“Not least, I am quite certain being aboard a Walking Bus is fun – and that it wakes the children up so that they are more receptive to learning when they get to school.

“I have the greatest admiration for the excellent work you are doing and I know you will continue to do. On behalf of Her Majesty I have great pleasure in presenting

the Kent and Medway Walking Bus Group with your inscribed crystal trophy and certificate. Very well done to you all – and long may the Walking Bus flourish.”

Project chairman and the Kent Messenger Group's representative on the management committee, Simon Dolby, thanked staff at KCC and Medway for their support in the partnership and said the honour was received on behalf of all the parent volunteers who escorted Kent’s Walking Buses to school each day.

All schools operating Walking Buses in Kent will be sent a colour copy of the certificate from The Queen to display.

Mr Dolby stressed: “This is a tremendous honour for everyone involved with the charity and we are sure schools involved with the partnership will want to use it to both trumpet their involvement and to encourage more families to join their schemes.”